The Gambling Commission is now investigating Russell George, a senior Member of the Conservative Welsh Parliament, as he allegedly bet on the timing of the general election. The Senedd member for Montgomeryshire said he will assist fully with the investigation.
Tonight he said: ‘I have decided it is best that I stood down from my roles in the shadow cabinet. He said: “I have done this as I do not want to be an unnecessary distraction from their work.
George is just the latest in a string of Conservative figures who have faced questions about similar betting habits. This is the latest Gambling Commission investigation into Conservative members. One of those already out is Craig Williams, who is the parliamentary aide to the prime minister and also comes from Montgomeryshire — he was the first Tory to admit placing a bet on the election date.
The sources at the BBC claim he placed his bet online more than a week before the election was announced. Details of the bet – how much was wagered, at what odds – were not revealed. George and Williams were reported not to have known of each other placing the same wagers.
In light of the ongoing investigations, Welsh Conservative Group Leader Andrew RT Davies said: ‘No other members of the Welsh Conservative Group have placed any bets. He said: “All other players have confirmed that they placed no bets.
The inquiry will form part of an ongoing review into how the Gambling Commission is tackling public officials potentially breaking betting rules and any consequences as a result.
